Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
central and eastern Asia. Alpine chives (
Allium schoenoprasum
ssp.
alpinum
) grows in the marshy
meadows, bogs, and moist, steep slopes of the Limestone Alps and can be used just like common
chives. Siberian chives, another variety of this species, has hollow, more thick leaves, grows vigor-
ously, and flowers late (and not at all after cutting).
GARLIC CHIVES
Allium tuberosum
Garlic chives is an Asian crop plant that has recently taken European gardens and kitchens by storm.
The name comes from the fact that it grows like common chives but tastes more like garlic. Its flat,
tough leaves, about 0.25 in. (5 mm) wide and 10-12 in. (25-30 cm) long, can be used to season soups,
salad, or meat dishes; their flavor is mild and does not hold as long in the mouth as that of garlic. Gar-
lic chives are thought to have cancer-preventing properties. Flowers and flower buds are delicious
when cooked in butter or pickled and make for beautiful plate ornaments.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• three to five healthy clumps for vegetative propagation
• 10 clumps to produce seed
Garlic chives seeds
POLLINATION NOTES
Garlic chives is an outcrosser, like all onion family plants. Its fertile, white,
star-shaped flowers are carried in a semi-spherical umbel-like flower head. Different varieties can
cross-pollinate each other, though they do not cross with garlic, leeks, or other alliums.
PROPAGATION
Garlic chives are perennials. Grow them just like common chives: seed in clusters
from early spring to early summer (or as late as late summer) outdoors or in pots. Within three or four
months, “bushes” 10-12 in. (25-30 cm) tall will have grown. Rejuvenate every three to four years by
digging up clumps, dividing them, and replanting in a new spot. After the second year, garlic chive
plants produce fertile, white flowers from midsummer to early autumn. Garlic chives can be grown in
locations that are too cold for regular garlic. Plants are hardy to zone 4; they prefer full sun but tolerate
some shade and lower average temperatures than garlic.
